BBKL ILLUSTRATED // The Disrespected Detroit Red Wings

[Robin Hood]

BBKL ILLUSTRATED

The Disrespected Detroit Red Wings

The status quo that has ruled BBKL over the past two seasons is beginning to fade. Yes, the Kings, Blues, Devils, Capitals, Lightning and Avalanche remain perennial Cup contenders.

But all else has changed.

You needn’t look farther than the Detroit Red Wings. Two weeks into the season, Detroit ranks 9th in the Western Conference with 31 Points, 8 points out of a playoff spot. You can thank GM Scott Shoals for that. The Red Wings’ GM has turned around a team that finished second last in 2010-2011.

Of course, the turn around would not have been necessary were it not for a disastrous set of trade cycles that destroyed a former Playoff team and led to Shoals being a forum post away from being fired. But never mind that.

Course correction has been the mantra ever since, as “Shoalzie” has been far more patient with his team. The off season was spent acquiring low-level talent to primarily meet both Games Played and Salary Cap Floor expectations, but the low-level talent has been putting up respectable numbers. The biggest surprise has been in goal as the tandem of Devan Dubnyk and Nikolai Khabibulin has been stealing wins for Detroit.

The Red Wings, as a result, have finally started to earn some respect again in a league where every match-up against Detroit used to be considered a 15-0-1 Week. Detroit’s 1st Rounder in 2012 was thrown around all off-season as the consensus 1st Overall pick come June (Niedereitter + 1st DET for Tavares is just one example).

Maybe that will still happen. Maybe the Red Wings will come back down to the BBKL Basement.

But they will at least make some noise while doing it.

- Shiv N.
BBKL ILLUSTRATED will publish a few articles on a weekly basis.

[Shep]

The status quo that has ruled BBKL over the past two seasons is beginning to fade. Yes, the Kings, Devils, Capitals, Lightning and Avalanche remain perennial Cup contenders.

I've made it to the conference finals and the conference semi-finals in the first two years. I think that's the same record as Steve, and didn't Nick and Kareem both miss the playoffs one year? Or at least, not make it out of Round 1?

Hm..

[Robin Hood]

The status quo that has ruled BBKL over the past two seasons is beginning to fade. Yes, the Kings, Devils, Capitals, Lightning and Avalanche remain perennial Cup contenders.

I've made it to the conference finals and the conference semi-finals in the first two years. I think that's the same record as Steve, and didn't Nick and Kareem both miss the playoffs one year? Or at least, not make it out of Round 1?

Hm..

I actually just missed your name lol. Added .

[MSP4LYFE]

The status quo that has ruled BBKL over the past two seasons is beginning to fade. Yes, the Kings, Devils, Capitals, Lightning and Avalanche remain perennial Cup contenders.

I've made it to the conference finals and the conference semi-finals in the first two years. I think that's the same record as Steve, and didn't Nick and Kareem both miss the playoffs one year? Or at least, not make it out of Round 1?

Hm..

That same year (I missed the playoffs), I had a better h2h record than you, and was tied with STL, I know you are just being sarcastic, and I am not discounting you as a contender, but it can't be said enough...Success in the West is meaningless when compared to the East.

[Nick]

Really appreciate the writing Shiv, great opinion and awesome conversation starter.

Just taking a look at the points earned so far:

week 1:
+/- win @ -6
GAA @ 1.90
Hits @ 93
SHTOI @ 136
SV% @ .937
Tied SO & GWG

Week 2:
(2)+/- @ 3
BS @ 40
(2)GAA @ .98
GWG @ 3
(2)Hits @ 62
(2)SHTOI @ 89
SO @ 1
(2)SV% @ .956
G, SOG, W tied.

Sure would be neat to see Shoalzie's guys continue these #, some bounces to stay ahead on +/- & SHTOI, extremely strong goaltending, and good timing could mean the team sneaks out of the bottom 5. But it is early.

However relying on goaltending statistics is more on timing IMO then on the actual # (well, unless your Mike with Quick)... roughly 30% of his (shoalzie's) points are from goaltending, I for one would be surprised if the points(winning categories) continues at this pace.

And Shep - you are right, my team is consistently given way way way too much credit, so far i've missed the playoffs, and lost in the first round.

[Shep]

The status quo that has ruled BBKL over the past two seasons is beginning to fade. Yes, the Kings, Devils, Capitals, Lightning and Avalanche remain perennial Cup contenders.

I've made it to the conference finals and the conference semi-finals in the first two years. I think that's the same record as Steve, and didn't Nick and Kareem both miss the playoffs one year? Or at least, not make it out of Round 1?

Hm..

That same year (I missed the playoffs), I had a better h2h record than you, and was tied with STL, I know you are just being sarcastic, and I am not discounting you as a contender, but it can't be said enough...Success in the West is meaningless when compared to the East.

Where are the standings from the first 2 years?

[Scott]

The last 6-7 months have really been good for Shoalzie. He's been a lot more proactive and has improved because of it. Almost every single time I put a lower tiered NHLer on the block, there was Shoalzie with an offer and the willingness to negotiate. IIRC, he landed 2 or 3 of these NHLers from me to help in his mission to improving. Great job Scott.. keep it up buddy.

PS, thanks for the read Shiv, I really appreciate the angle you bring to BBKL.. look forward to reading the New Jersey Devils write up

[MSP4LYFE]

The status quo that has ruled BBKL over the past two seasons is beginning to fade. Yes, the Kings, Devils, Capitals, Lightning and Avalanche remain perennial Cup contenders.

I've made it to the conference finals and the conference semi-finals in the first two years. I think that's the same record as Steve, and didn't Nick and Kareem both miss the playoffs one year? Or at least, not make it out of Round 1?

Hm..

That same year (I missed the playoffs), I had a better h2h record than you, and was tied with STL, I know you are just being sarcastic, and I am not discounting you as a contender, but it can't be said enough...Success in the West is meaningless when compared to the East.

Where are the standings from the first 2 years?

http://bbkl.hockey.cbssports.com/standings/2009

http://bbkl.hockey.cbssports.com/standings/2010

[Scott]

^2010 standings are incorrect

[KapG]

Shiv. You are the man. Nuff said.

[Shoalzie]

Cute...I'll give it a read when I get a free moment.